Best of · CAPE TOWN WHALE WATCHING TOURS

15 Standout Cape Town Whale Watching Tours

27 tours  ·  from $52 a head

Good cape town whale watching tours sell out weeks ahead in season and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip - From Cape Town to the Gansbaai harbor
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From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip

1.Hermanus Whale Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 378 reviews · 7 hours · from $221Our pick

You’ll travel from Cape Town to Gansbaai, then cruise the De Kelders cliffs toward Hermanus with an English-speaking guide. The boat carries 40 but is limited to 25 passengers. Look for Southern right whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, and seasonal sightings of humpbacks and orcas.

“We had an amazing day seeing the whales up close and swim right past our boat. This trip was worth every penny. Only one thing … the description mentions drinks and snacks which nobody received .”

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From Cape Town: Full Day Guided Hermanus and Whale Tour - Hermanus New Harbour and the optional whale cruise
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From Cape Town: Full Day Guided Hermanus and Whale Tour

2.Full Day Guided Hermanus and Whale Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 155 reviews · from $51Best value

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus in a small group of up to 18, with an English-speaking guide such as Louis or Brahm. Expect a scenic coastal drive, shore-based whale watching, optional boat cruise, Hemel-en-Aarde wine tasting, and a stop at Peregrine Farm Stall.

“The coastal drive alone made the trip worthwhile but seeing the whales up close is something I will never forget. Our tour guides, Louis, wealth of knowledge was unbelievable and made the tour that much more interesting.”

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From Cape Town: Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus and Gansbaai - The road south from Cape Town
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From Cape Town: Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus and Gansbaai

3.Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus and Gansbaai

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 110 reviews · 2 hours · from $249

Ride from Cape Town with a local English-speaking guide such as Neil or Bruce, stopping along the Overberg coast before a two-hour Ivanhoe Sea Safaris cruise from Gansbaai. Look for southern right whales, seals, and dolphins, then visit Hermanus and Peregrine Farm Stall. Pickup, entrance fees, and return transport are included.

“perfect organisation, a verry charming and helpfull guide (neil fergusson) he was verry flexible from the route planing. we saw a lot of whales, direct in front of us. absolutly to recommended!!”

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Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town - Lunch and wine in the Hemel-en-Aarde area
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Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town

4.Hermanus Whale Watching Shared Boat Trip and Private Wine Tour from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 38 reviews · from $242

Leave Cape Town around 6:30 am in a private vehicle with a guide such as John, Kelly, Samson, or Barnabas. Take a 2 to 3-hour shared boat trip from Hermanus, then visit a wine estate, stop at Stony Point’s penguin colony, and return by the scenic R44. Whale trips run June through mid-December and depend on good weather.

“visite des baleines depuis un bateau, un peu déçu car les bateaux ne sont pas autorisés de s'approcher à moins de 50 M des baleines.”

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From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Full Day Tour - Rotary Way and the first wide view of Walker Bay
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From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Full Day Tour

5.Hermanus Whale Watching Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 30 reviews · 8h 30m · from $68

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus by small-group bus with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Rotary Way, Walker Bay, and the Peregrine Farm Store. You get town time and an urban tasting of Hemel-en-Aarde wines. A whale cruise is optional, costs extra, and should be booked for around noon in season.

“Esperava mais, o passeio em si é bem calmo e rápido, a cidade muito bonita também, porém a empresa tendo o conhecimento que é uma época onde é difícil ver as baleias, deveria colocar no aviso sobre a remota possibilidade e sua extrema raridade em x meses e quais são mais fáceis de vê-las, evitando que os clientes comprem e se frustrem.”

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Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town - Finding whales along the Hermanus coast
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Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

6.Hermanus Whale Watching Day Trip from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 29 reviews · from $101

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus for shore-based Southern Right Whale watching, free time in town, and a one-hour tasting at Bouchard Finlayson Winery. A boat trip is available at your own cost. Guides such as Armoy Olivier and Jean have helped guests find prime viewing spots, while Sunday departures replace the winery with Stoney Point penguins.

“It was a very nice tour but it wouldn't be without the boat trip. From the coast at this time of the year you can't see any whales, but from the boat we saw whales,seals and man many dolphins and it was great!”

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Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus - Which whales and animals might you see
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Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

7.Boat Based Whale Watching from Hermanus

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $287

Leave Cape Town early for Hermanus, where whale specialist Paul Polano briefs you before you board a purpose-built catamaran from the New Harbour. Look for southern right, humpback, and Bryde’s whales, plus dolphins and seals. Private transport, water, refreshments, and a support crew are included. A tour video is available for R390.

“We recently went on a whale-watching tour, and while we couldn’t see any whales, the experience was still memorable. Our guide, Paul, was friendly and knowledgeable, making the trip enjoyable despite the circumstances. He even went the Read more”

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Whale Watching Hermanus - Boat base - Reaching Hermanus and the Walker Bay whale grounds
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Whale Watching Hermanus – Boat base

8.Whale Watching Hermanus – Boat base

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · from $228

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus in a comfortable vehicle, following the scenic Clarens Drive coastal route to Walker Bay. After snacks and bottled water, join a boat-based whale-watching trip, then enjoy free time in Hermanus. Southern Right Whales, dolphins, and seals may appear, but boat capacity can be much larger than the small transfer group.

“The boat was far too small for the number of people take onboard... much too small especially since the weather was not good and the seas were rough bouncing passengers around, many got seasick and there was no way for all to sit and get away from the vomit.... waveRead more”

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1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein - What happens from 6:30 am onward
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1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

9.1 Day Whale Watching at Yzerfontein

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $331

Meet the Whale Expedition SA crew at Yzerfontein Harbour at 6:30 am for a small-group outing aboard Meganova, a fast, maneuverable RIB. Guides Ash, Jacques, Jan, and Eric help you search for humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Breakfast, boat snacks, protective clothing, and a picnic lunch are included.

“Amazing trip I'd highly recommend, especially photographers! Small groups of people which makes the trip so much nicer. Although we didn't get to see a super group, we saw a lone juvenile Humpback and then a mother with her calf. PleRead more”

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Hermanus Whale Watching & Penguins Shared Tour from Cape Town - Leaving Cape Town before sunrise
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Hermanus Whale Watching & Penguins Shared Tour from Cape Town

10.Hermanus Whale Watching & Penguins Shared Tour from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 14 reviews · from $144

Leave Cape Town early for Hermanus, where a whale specialist leads a 2 to 3 hour boat trip in search of southern right whales, dolphins, and other marine life. After lunch at your own cost, visit Stony Point Penguin Colony. Guides such as Alfani, Barnabas, and Gavin have been praised for clear explanations and thoughtful service.

“We have just returned from our trip to Hermanus to see the whales All I can say is wow My wife and I never expected to see so many and so up close to the boat . We felt so privileged to witness the Whales with the new calves passing by. ThRead more”

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Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus with Hotel Pickup - What the boat outing is really like
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Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus with Hotel Pickup

11.Whale Watching Tour in Hermanus with Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $215

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with guide Tingo, then head onto the ocean during whale season. You can add lunch or a stop at Betty’s Bay to see penguins. The day lasts about 6 to 8 hours and includes hotel pickup.

“We had a fantastic day with Tingo, visiting Hermanus, seeing whales and dolphins, and visiting Betty’s bay to see penguins and finishing off with the beautiful scenery at the coast. Tingo is an excellent and knowledgeable guide who knRead more”

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Whale Watching Tour from Cape Town - Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay
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Whale Watching Tour from Cape Town

12.Whale Watching Tour from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 9 reviews · from $100

Leave Cape Town at 8:00 am with a professional registered guide for a scenic coastal day through Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay, Betty’s Bay, and Hermanus. See whales from the cliffs, visit Harold Porter Botanical Garden and Fernkloof Nature Reserve, and add a boat trip at your own cost if seats remain.

“A very scenic drive along the coast to Hermanus along with a visit to a penguin colony and a, winery tour before lunch and then a great two hours of constant whale sightseeing from the tour boat Highly recommend this tour”

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Hermanus and Whale Route Trike Tour from Cape Town - Clarence Drive puts the road at center stage
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Hermanus and Whale Route Trike Tour from Cape Town

13.Hermanus and Whale Route Trike Tour from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews

You’ll ride a motorized trike from Cape Town along Clarence Drive and the Whale Route, stopping at Rooi Els, Kleinmond, Betty’s Bay, and Hermanus. Willem leads the way, handles navigation, and shares local insight. The eight-hour private tour includes hotel pickup, a helmet, photo stops, and time for lunch by the sea.

“Fantastic day! A must do if you want to see the countryside up close and not from a bus! Willem is cool. He’s very knowledgeable and drives safely. You’ll take multiple photo stops and have lunch right on the sea!”

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From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Tour with Transfer - Film studios and Stellenbosch wine country
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From Cape Town: Hermanus Whale Watching Tour with Transfer

14.Hermanus Whale Watching Tour with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · from $317

Travel from Cape Town to Hermanus with an English-speaking driver-guide, passing Langa, Khayelitsha, Stellenbosch, Somerset West, and Sir Lowry’s Pass before a 2 to 3 hour boat trip. Look for Southern Right whales, including mothers and calves. Laetitia has earned special praise for her South African history commentary.

“We loved it. Our driver, Laetitia, was fantastic! She holds so much knowledge regarding South Africa history! It was truely a one of a kind oportunity. We saw different whales including a mom and its baby. We took the 9am tour so prepare for the cold! In general, a 10 out of 10.”

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Full-Day Whale Watching and Wine Region Experience from Cape Town - Hemel en Aarde for cool-climate wine
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Full-Day Whale Watching and Wine Region Experience from Cape Town

15.Full-Day Whale Watching and Wine Region Experience from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $260

You’ll leave Cape Town for a 2 to 3-hour shared marine safari from Hermanus, then visit Hemel en Aarde and Spier Wine Farm. Private hotel transport, a driver-guide, bottled water, and the whale-watching fee are included. Wine tastings, chocolate pairing, and lunch cost extra. Ask whether Callixte is your guide if his friendly, helpful style matters to you.

“I highly recommend this company. And his staff knows their job. I love how they put a personal touch on every need I am satisfied with their service.Very nice manners and honest people I will recommend you to my friends thank you very much...”

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New in Cape Town Whale Watching Tours

★ 5.0Hermanus Whales and Wine Full Day Private TourFrom $1972 reviews
★ 5.0Whale Wonders: Majestic Marine Adventures in HermanusFrom $2433 reviews
★ 5.0Hermanus Whale Watching and Wine TastingFrom $2353 reviews
★ 5.0Hermanus Whale Coast Wine Tour (Cape To Grape Wine Tours)From $1503 reviews
★ 5.0Cape Agulhas, Hermanus Whale Watching, Penguins and Wine TastingFrom $1932 reviews
★ 4.5From Stellenbosch: Hermanus Whale Route Tour2 reviews

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